Cormore director Ciarán O’Hagan confirmed that the company had begun proceedings against Mr Moran. The action is being taken in the High Court, and Mr Moran has 10 days to respond.

Formerly known as The Rathmines Inn, it was one of two pubs owned by Cormore Investments (Dublin), to which the Bank of Scotland (Ireland) appointed Tom Kavanagh of Kavanagh Fennell as the receiver.